Throughout its history, the Greek has played host to some of the biggest legends in music – from Sir Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Carlos Santana and many more in between. This iconic venue has also served as a site for world recognized television shows and motion pictures. The history of the Greek Theatre dates to 1882, when Colonel Griffith J. Griffith, came to America from South Wales to seek fortune in gold mining. Colonel Griffith settled in Los Angeles and purchased the Los Feliz Rancho, which he later donated to the City of Los Angeles in 1896. This three-thousand-acre gift was given with the intent that Griffith Park would be made an eternal place of public recreation.